In 2025, crises did what innovation optimism could not: they forced governments to confront the fragility of digital-only payments.

In this episode, Frane Maroevic, Director General of the International Currency Association, traces why cash is being reclassified — not as legacy money, but as critical national infrastructure. From constitutional protections in Europe to emergency planning in disaster-prone states, cash is returning to the centre of policy thinking.

The conversation looks ahead to 2026: what governments must protect, what citizens risk losing, and why payment choice, privacy, and resilience are now inseparable.

This is a story about ensuring societies still function when technology fails.

Source: Cash Always Works: Why 2026 Will Treat Cash as Critical Infrastructure

Note: This podcast was developed using Google’s NotebookLM platform